Made to order and made for you

Published on 21 Apr 2017.

Between the glitzy Orchard Road and the independent boutiques along Haji Lane, there are no lack of shopping options in Singapore. However, if you love collectibles or desire a one-of-a-kind piece that has been tailor-made just for you, look beyond the typical racks and shelves. These are the tailors, craftsmen and jewellers who can design and create a customised souvenir or a full bespoke suit.

Bynd Artisan

Stationery and leather goods

You will feel the passion and dedication of Bynd Artisan the moment you step into its flagship shop in Holland Village. The family-run business, which has been around since 1947, is staffed by ever-smiling craftsmen who take enormous pride in their art, creating handsome, customisable stationery that will spruce up any desk.

One of Bynd Artisan’s bestsellers is the customisable A5 notebook (from SGD 20). You get to pick from a library of leatherette covers and paper types, and even tweak the details, like the binding wire and other add-ons such as rivets, leather flaps and snap buttons. Once you have made your selection, the experts will have it bound and ready within minutes. Besides bespoke creations, Bynd Artisan has shelves of readymade items, such as leather book jackets (from SGD 100), cardholders (from SGD 60) and lanyards (from SGD 60).

Dylan & Son

Dapper bespoke suits

This two-generation, family-run tailoring house was founded 45 years ago by Peter Chong, and is now run by his son, Dylan. Their bespoke tailoring line caters to gentlemen looking for sharp tuxedo shirts (from SGD 200), trousers (from SGD 300) and suit jackets (from SGD 1490/two-piece suit) that are more timeless than trendy. Expect traditional menswear tailoring, with refined fabrics, clean lines and classic proportions. A tier down from the bespoke range is KayJen Dylan (from SGD 150/shirt), a made-to-measure line that appeals to the younger crowd with its more contemporary style.

Dylan & Son has an in-house workshop and an experienced team of cutters, pattern-makers and finishers to maintain the level of quality of its garments. Although the waiting time ranges from two to three weeks for shirts and up to eight weeks for jackets and suits, you can have your new outfit shipped overseas. Making an appointment is a must, and allow up to an hour for fittings.

Golden Scissors Cheongsam

Cheongsam done right

Tucked away in a corner of Chinatown stands this time-tested cheongsam (traditional Chinese one-piece dress) tailor. Golden Scissors Cheongsam has been in the business for more than four decades, and the experience shows in the ocean of cheongsam that deck this cosy shop—there are dresses of all cuts and colours, for both adults and kids.

If you can’t find one you admire, the team of tailors can stitch together a new cheongsam for you. Just pick a print and get it made to measure; the finished pieces (about SGD 68-SGD 400) will be ready within a week. As a spin on the classic, Golden Scissors Cheongsam offers batik (an Indonesian method of dyeing), Japanese cotton, and modern patterns such as floral and plaid.

Love Potion

Evening gowns and casual dresses

Love Potion specialises in custom-made dresses for all occasions, whether you have a black-tie gala, a wedding or just a date night coming up. Just show them a sketch if you want to bring your own design to life or construct a mood board if you’d prefer taking inspiration from fashion runways and magazines—Love Potion will be able to tailor your dream dress (from SGD 350) that fits you to a tee. Alternatively, you can leave it to the in-house designer to recommend you a style or simply pick a dress off the boutique’s many racks. Depending on the complexity of the design, a new gown will take about four to six weeks to create, but Love Potion is able to ship it internationally once it’s ready.

AmeVi Designs

Bags and accessories

This mother-daughter business makes it easy for you to design your own bag, pouch and accessory: you can do it online. Pick a fabric—they are mostly cutesy prints—and decide on a product, then pick it up from AmeVi Designs’ stall in Orchard Central. The brand offers bags, purses, mobile phone cases, laptop bags, and even tissue paper holders, all of which are handmade in small batches. If you’d rather have a look at the designs in the flesh, you can make your choices at the stall, too. AmeVi Designs takes up to two weeks to produce complex designs such as waterproof shoe bags, but simple ones like non-waterproof single-zip pouch and cushion covers can be completed on the spot.

Facets Singapore

Diamond jewellery

Sparkle and shine when you treat yourself—or someone special—to a bespoke piece of jewellery from this diamond wholesaler. Facets Singapore has a team of designers on hand to realise your designs for solitaire rings, bracelets, pendants, necklaces and earrings. All jewellery is handcrafted in Singapore. Besides the bespoke service, it also provides gem re-setting and diamond brokering. As a symbol of its commitment to the environment, the brand plants a tropical hardwood tree on our island for every diamond above two carats it sells, thanks to the National Park Board’s Garden City Fund.